Under Clery, when should a crime be reported?

The rationale behind the correct choice revolves around the obligations of Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) under the Clery Act. According to the Clery Act guidelines, CSAs are required to report crimes when they receive information from any source about a crime. This means that even if a CSA does not personally witness the crime or if it is reported to them secondhand—such as from a student, faculty member, or even through anonymous reporting—they still have the responsibility to report that information.

This broad requirement ensures that the institution can accurately collect all relevant crime data and provide necessary warnings or alerts to the campus community. The goal is to foster a safer environment by ensuring that all incidents, regardless of how they come to light, are documented and addressed appropriately.

In contrast, the other options are more restrictive or do not encompass the full scope of the CSA's reporting responsibilities under the Clery Act. For example, limiting reports only to observed crimes or direct communications with law enforcement would miss important information that could impact campus safety. Additionally, reporting solely for annual crime statistics would neglect the immediate need for awareness and preventative measures related to ongoing safety issues.